It is proposed to take items Nos. 1 and 2. In the case of item No. 1, as this Bill has been discussed in this House for quite some time it is proposed that Second Stage will conclude by lunchtime today and that the Minister will be called to reply not later than 1 p.m.
Order of Business.
I do not know if I understand correctly what the Deputy Leader of the House said. Is he saying that the Companies (No. 2) Bill should end at 1 p.m. today even if all those speakers who wish to speak have not spoken?
Yes, because 21 or 22 speakers have contributed and it has been in this House for almost 22 hours. Therefore, we now have from 10.30 a.m. until 1 p.m. for the remaining speakers. We are anxious to conclude Second Stage by 1 p.m. today.
I cannot possibly agree to a guillotine on the Companies (No. 2) Bill. The reason this Bill has taken 21 hours already is that, quite obviously, there has been an enormous amount of interest in it. I have been waiting, and I know Senator Brendan Ryan has been waiting, to come in on this Bill for several weeks. This is the first I have heard of such a restriction. Nobody mentioned before that there would be any guillotine on the Bill. I will certainly oppose the Order of Business if this is to happen. I am sorry but I will waste the time of the House by calling a vote on it. It is quite unacceptable that an important Bill such as this should be guillotined.
Senator Ross is behaving like a PD this morning. I do not think there is any real problem because, as I understand it, if the debate has not concluded by 1 p.m. there will not be a rigid closure and people will have a chance to speak. I am sure all who wish to speak this morning will be accommodated.
I should like to point out to Senator Ross that I had a meeting with the Whips the other day at which the Independent group were present and agreed to this. If there is any hassle about it I do not want to tie them down; we will give somewhat longer time to the Bill today. We can give it until 2.30 p.m. and let the Minister come in then.
I do not think there is any problem. I am sure Senators can go on with the Companies (No. 2) Bill until 4 p.m. if they so wish. The Minister is being called on not later than 2.30 p.m. Is that agreed?
The time at which the Minister would be called could be extended to 2.30 p.m.
Is that agreed?
Yes, provided all those speakers offering will have been called.
On the Order of Business could we have some indication as to sitting hours and business for next week?
Next week we will be sitting on Wednesday and, we expect, on Thursday also. We have not decided whether we will sit at 2.30 p.m. or earlier on Wednesday. I am inclined to agree to a suggestion that we sit at 12 noon in order to get through the business next week.
Perhaps I could ask Senator Manning's question in another way. What matters remain to be dealt with before the recess in the next few weeks?
Second Stage of the Adoption (No. 2) Bill may be concluded today so that will be on next week. We also have the Abbatoirs Bill, Committee Stage of the Restrictive Practices (Amendment) Bill and the motion in the names of Independent Senators.
The proposal is that the Minister be called not later than 2.30 p.m. on item No. 1.
Order of Business agreed to.